The Crisis Blog

The recalls of at least 8.4 million more General Motors vehicles this week underscores a deepening safety crisis that could do irreparable harm to the company’s image if it continues, experts said.

Steven Fink, president and CEO of Lexicon Communications Corp., a Los Angeles crisis-management firm, said GM has done an “abysmal” job of handling the scandal, which already has triggered a U.S. Justice Departmentprobe into why the automaker waited a decade to recall vehicles that had a faulty ignition switch that has been linked to at least 13 deaths.

“The No. 1 problem they have right now is not ignition switches,” Fink said. “It’s the lack of confidence in the company that seems to be building.”